datachie

Does your dog pull you down the block when you go for a walk? Wish you could take your dog more places with you, but he’s too out of control? Is it unsafe for your kids to take the dog for a walk?

You need to check out the Easy Walk Harness by Premier. This pain-free training tool makes it easy to take your dog for a stress-free walk! No more pulling you off your feet or dragging you down the block! And better yet, the less your dog pulls, the more you can reward him for walking on a loose-leash!

Throw away your choke collars, your prong collars. Those operate on causing pain and discomfort for your dog. There’s a better way – for you and your dog. Use the Easy Walk harness. You’ll enjoy taking your dog for walks again!

In case you’re wondering: No, I don’t get any money from Premier! I just really believe that dogs do NOT need to be on a prong or choke collar in order to go for pull-free walks. This is an effective and dog-friendly solution for the pulling dog.

I attended an orientation for a local umbrella group that coordinates pet therapy and pet visits with local schools, nursing homes, hospice, etc. I was wearing two hats while I was there: one as an interested volunteer and a second as a trainer trying to learn more about volunteer work with dogs.

The work that I want to do (the R.E.A.D program) requires that my dog(s) pass the Delta Society evaluation. The evaluation is very similar to the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen test. Tango already has his CGC, so I’m hopeful that we’ll pass that evaluation. Lily’s a bit reactive to other dogs, and would have a little bit of trouble with the out-of-sight portion of the test, but it’s nothing we can’t over come. Nemo, too, would need help with the loose leash walking and the stay portion, but again, nothing a little practice can’t overcome.

I’m excited to embark on this project – Tango would enjoy it immensely (he loves being "out and about") and I would love to share him with the kids and help them learn to love reading. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact me or leave a comment. I’d be happy to pass along the info I received at the orientation.

Champ, my parents’ Rottweiler, was euthanized this morning at their house. He spent the morning laying on the lawn, enjoying the unusually warm weather and sunshine. His final resting place is under the shade trees, near all the other dogs who have gone before. His favorite toy, a Curious George doll, accompanied him.

Three and a half years ago, this awful looking Rottweiler wandered onto my parents’ rural Virgina property. Quite a sight, he was skeletal, covered in fleas, and in need of some TLC. He got TLC and then some – my parents took him in, cleaned him up, and he became part of the family. Which I found rather curious, as my parents never liked Rotties — they considered them mean and aggressive dogs. Champ showed them the true nature of a Rottweiler: loyal and kind.

Greeting every visitor with a WOOF and a head-butt, he welcomed anyone and everyone. The UPS and FedEx drivers knew him by name and greeted him as they made their rounds.

Playful, even at his age, he was sometimes a real bruiser of a dog when he played with his own kind. He scared all of my dogs, except Nemo, who seemed to love playing Champ’s games.

He will be missed.

I’m so excited!

Just got the final photos from my photo shoot with Shannon Zirkle. She took over 250 photos, and I had to narrow them down to 20. Not an easy task! I picked 20 that I could use for Smart Dog University (web, print, etc.) and then I’ll order separate prints – because I had many more favorites!

I love the way Shannon captured their expressions, their selves. And I’m really impressed that she got all three of them to sit still at one time out in the yard.

I’m having the web site redesigned, so you’ll be seeing some of the new pictures there. But here are a few of the 20 that I chose.

This is an investment. I’ll have these photos forever, long after my dear dogs are gone. I had some personal favorites, that weren’t necessarily the best for the website or for print use, so I decided not to get the digital files of those. But I will order prints and enlargements of those special photos, to hang in my office and throughout the house. Pictures of dogs are cool, but pictures of your own dogs – as art – are even cooler. If you’d like to talk to me about working with Shannon, give me a call, send me an email, or leave a comment. I’m happy to chat with anyone interested in capturing their dogs as art.